Martinez could play the long game with Baines

[Never mind what I've just posted on the "Cleverley fit" thread.]

Sounds like being a New Year return for Baines if you read between the lines of what Martinez says.

He's been very good for us this season in his own position. Milk turns quicker than Gareth, unfortunately.

Apart from a couple of touches and simple passes under no pressure, he was involved in three other incidents of note: the last chance of the game was a free-kick from deep which he overhit out of play; he put another cross into the keeper's hands; and a ball going out for a throw-in to Bosnia, he chased down and gave the throw to Ireland.

I was delighted with his performance but it was very far from good.

He was competent last season but never spectacular, he gets about the pitch (in his own half mind you) but he can't play a forward pass and I think he had about three shots off target all season.

His discipline is very suspect and temperament and frankly he seemsto have gained cult status for running around like a maniac but not actually having any type of impact on games apart from collecting the odd silly booking.

The midfield should, at home to Aston Villa in a game we want the win in, be consisting of more attack-minded players rather than two defensive stoppers.

Howard

Coleman
Stones (captain when Barry goes off)
Funes Mori
Galloway

Cleverley
Barry (c)

Deulofeu
Barkley
Mirallas

Lukaku
--------
Robles
Baines
Browning
McCarthy
Naismith (on for Barry 65')
Lennon (on for Lukaku 75')
Kone (on for Mirallas 60')

Besic was clearly far from fit against the Republic the other day, hardly breaking out of a walk throughout the whole 90 minutes. For Everton he is being coached for the number 6 position which is left midfield. The position he occupied early on in the Chelsea game when he pulled a hamstring as he burst into the left side of the box.

As for the jibe at Barry? Yes, he's slow now, but this is a guy who has been there and won major honours and was so pivotal at Aston Villa, that the Redshite were willing to pay big money for him until Manchester City eventually did, and Barry, for all his faults mobility-wise, is still a fine passer of the ball.

I saw a lot of heart from Besic last season but, in the main, just a competent stopper in the Joey Barton mould, and no, even in his younger years, Joey Barton was never "top class" either.

Mo, like Joey, is just a cruncher with discipline problems.

I don't think he is the finished article yet and perhaps "top class" is a bit premature but I don't think it's fair to say he isn't a top player because he only cost £4 million. The lad has definitely got it in him to become a star.

I think you're right about Gareth Barry though. He has been top class for ages and can still influence a game with his interceptions, tackling and passing. Hopefully he is showing the likes of Mo Besic the finer aspects of top class football.

There's that word "potential" again.

If I had a pound, or even a penny, for every time I've heard that word "potential" over the years, then I'd be living next door to David Beckham, in whichever of his mansions he spends most time.

In my opinion, the kid can clearly tackle; he may be a bit too aggressive but so was Vieira and Roy Keane, he can pass and passes forward a lot more than McCarthy, and he has a big engine.

If McCarthy or Barry become injured, it would be interesting to see who Martinez would go with in the centre: Besic or Cleverley?

If Martinez thinks he's best to use Cleverley, he should loan Mo out to a Premier League side who will be willing to play him to gain valuable experience rather than having him sitting on the bench.

If I was asked to choose whether he will make the grade with us or not, I would guess he would as I do believe he is a talent.

I have as blue tinted glasses as most people when it comes to all things Everton. At the start of every season since '05 I've felt we could get Top 4. I have a history of consistently over-rating our players. By that logic, Besic is actually shite.